New BYD models coming to Australia in 2025 and beyond: Chinese brand product onslaught detailed
Rewind a few years, and your average Australian punter had likely never heard of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) producer BYD. However, the brand’s recent growth in our market has truly been something to behold.
Breaking into the top 10 best-seller list earlier this year (despite only selling battery and plug-in hybrid EVs in select segments), BYD is now planning its next tranche of model releases (it has 38 availabel overseas, not including its sub-brands), targeting some high-volume segments in the process.
BYD’s expansion plans for Australia
Originally selling its cars here through EVDirect – an Australian, third-party importer and distributor – BYD has now taken back the reins, transitioning to a direct-to-market model within Australia from 1 July 2025.
While the move ought to simplify internal processes for BYD – with a possible flow-on effect of reduced costs for buyers in the process – it has also opened the floodgates for models from the brand’s global line-up to be assessed for Australian releases.
The Seagull electric city car, for instance, previously ruled out for Australia, is now back on the cards, with many more models across large-volume segments actively ‘under consideration,’ according to BYD Australia.
Which BYD models are coming to Australia in 2025 and 2026?
BYD Australia remains tight-lipped on a full list of Australian releases in 2025 and 2026 but has confirmed a few key models – with others likely locked in and pending announcement.
BYD Atto 2
The all-electric Atto 2 small SUV – slotting in size-wise between the smaller Dolphin hatchback and larger Atto 3 SUV – will likely be the first of new nameplates to land here with a slated late 2025 launch.
We got to drive the Atto 2 in China recently to get the scoop on how it performs.
BYD Sealion 8
Joining the BYD line-up in early 2026, the Sealion 8, riding on plug-in hybrid platforms, will become the first seven-seat SUV to be offered by the brand Down Under. We’ve laid out all that we know so far about the BYD Sealion 8 here.
BYD Seagull
Adorable and affordable, the Seagull city car was no more than a pipedream for Australian buyers until recently.
Back under consideration by BYD as it goes to a direct-to-market model, the pint-sized, all-electric Seagull hatchback could be a winner in Australia but, as we found during our test drive in China , it would need to be carefully specified for our market.
Denza B5
Despite no formal confirmation, the Fang Cheng Bao 5 high-riding plug-in hybrid SUV is close to a sure thing for Australia, though it won’t go by that name when it arrives.
If (or when) the five-seat off-roader does come here, chances are it will wear Denza – BYD’s luxury sub-brand – badging, adopting ‘B5’ as its model title in the process. Riding on the same underpinnings as the popular Shark plug-in hybrid ute, the B5 could prove popular here.
We’re expecting to see the Denza B5 in showrooms in late 2025, launching as one of the first models to wear the badge.
Introducing Denza: BYD’s new premium EV brand
Denza, the luxury sub-brand of BYD, is coming to Australia in the fourth quarter of 2025, as confirmed by BYD Australia in May.
Borrowing the most advanced battery and hybrid technology in the BYD stable, and marrying it with more opulent design and fit-out, Denza models will look to blend premium and performance.
Which Denza models could launch in Australia?
As mentioned above, the B5 five-seat SUV is likely to kick things off for the sub-brand.
Following on from the B5, the larger, more equipped seven-seat B8 could also be an option. If the B8 does come Down Under, it would go after established models like the Toyota LandCruiser and Ford Everest, or even more luxurious versions such as the Lexus GX.
Other possible sights in Australian showrooms could be: the Z9 GT – a performance wagon (or sedan) packing a ridiculous 710kW; the N9 large SUV – packing luxury and advanced hybrid-electric tri-motor technology, and; the D9 – a van that feels like a plane’s business class cabin inside.
How will BYD’s EV stable compare to Tesla and other rivals?
If all the BYD models launches we expect in 2025 and 2026 do come to fruition, then the brand would have an entrant in almost every size segment in Australia.
This would be vastly different to Tesla’s approach, with the brand currently only selling two models (the Model 3 sedan and Model Y mid-size SUV) in Australia; and more like a Kia or Hyundai, which sells battery and plug-in hybrid electric cars in multiple segments.
